Day 14 – Friday Dec 20, 2013 – Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a popular beach town in central Vietnam. The forecast was looking cloudy but we arrived with sun. We stored our luggage at Hanoi Golden Hotel since our room was not available for early check in. In the meantime, we ate lunch at Nha Hang Yen’s Restaurant . They served good classic Vietnamese food but not as impressive or cheap as other places.

We booked some tours for the next few days, checked into our hotel and got ready for the beach. After a 5 minute walk, we arrived at the main beach where we rented a lounger and ordered some drinks at The Sailing Club. The beach sand was really course and the water was dangerously wavy. It was not suitable for swimming. So we just relaxed and listened to the waves.

For dinner, we took a cab to Nhat Phong 3 seafood restaurant. The seafood was expensive and not impressive. We headed back to our hotel and called it a night.

Day 15 – Saturday Dec 21, 2013 – Nha Trang

We toured the Yang Bay waterfalls and park today. We ate a bountiful buffet breakfast and was picked up at our hotel around 9:00am. After a hour ride, we entered the Yang Bay Tourist Park and saw the “Wood spiritually” tree. People pray for love at this tree. I got the chance to feed massive goldfish. They were jumping up for the food!

Our next stop was to see pigs race and bet on the winner. I placed my bet to win a jade pig but I lost. We also got to see a cock fight. It was pretty entertaining and shocking. We saw black bears too but they looked kinda sad and I felt bad for them!

We headed to the Yang Bay Waterfalls and they were more beautiful and bigger than I expected and seen from photos.

We walked around the area and also put our feet in the river. The river was filled with fish that nibble your dead skin. I was a little nervous but you barely feel anything, maybe a tiny tingle. It was fun after a while.

We went for lunch with the tour group where we were served alligator and ostrich meat! Alligator tastes like pork and ostrich tastes like beef. I liked it! Near our table, was this wild monkey pet chained to a pole. He wanted to grab me when I walked close. Luckily he couldn’t since he was chained down. I threw him some jackfruit chips and he was a great catcher.

After lunch, we went to these hot springs in the park. The hot springs were very nice and relaxing.

The tour ended with a trip to the alligator farm where we got to feed them raw meat dangling from a bamboo rod. It was a lot of fun! I would tease them by pulling away when they tried to snatch it. Once they finally caught it, they are actually quite strong in pulling the rod.

We went back to touristy area and visited the Nha Trang Center and night market.

Along our walk back, I also got to see some beautiful embroidery artwork from XQ Embroidery. It was incredible and better than what I saw in Ha Long Bay.

We ended up at Han Yen’s for dinner again and then the ladies got manicures and pedicures done at a nearby salon, Yen Yen Nail Spa. My French manicure and pedicure was only $8.

Day 16 – Sunday Dec 22, 2013 – Nha Trang

We went on a city tour today to see a few interesting points in Nha Trang. Our first stop was the National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam. It wasn’t a beautiful aquarium and the fish looked rather sad.

Next, we arrived at the Long Sơn Pagoda where we saw another big Buddha.

After that, we went to the Po Nagar Cham Towers where you get a preview of Siem Reap, Cambodia. I’ve never seen Champa religious sites or statues before so it was unique and mysterious.

The fourth stop was my favourite, the Hon Chong rocks. It was a pretty seaside with massive rocks to climb and explore.

Finally, the last stop was at the Chợ Đầm market. As we were wandering, I saw one of my favourite childhood snacks, bánh bò , a steamed rice cake. I had to buy it. It was so warm and soft when eaten fresh.

We stopped for some cane juice and then wandered to Lạc Cảnh Restaurant for a BBQ lunch. This was good but I was getting impatient with the tiny BBQ for the five of us.

My mom, dad and I split up with auntie and uncle to go to iResort for Mud Baths, a popular activity in Nha Trang. The mud baths were about $25 for a 30 minute private dip. We had to shower first and then jump into a new tub of mud. This type of mud was not thick but rather milky and warm. It was quite soothing.

After relaxing for 30 minutes, we rinsed off and soaked in hot mineral water. This one was more therapeutic but we got bored sitting in there for so long. The staff weren’t that helpful in informing us on the procedure either. We finally got out of the tub and explored the other pool areas of the resort. Beautiful place! The swimming pool and hot tub was nice.

Our package also includes food so I got a bánh mì xíu mại, meatball sandwich for dinner and it was excellent. We went back to our resort and fell asleep relaxed and pampered. Damn, my skin never felt so silky and soft from the mud.

Day 17 – Monday Dec 23, 2013 – Nha Trang

After breakfast at the hotel, we went took a taxi to Vinpearl. The largest and most famous amusement park in Vietnam. Vinpearl is on an island and to cross over, you take a cable car. Every attraction is included with your $25 admission.

Our first attraction was the aquarium that featured many fish and a water tunnel. Very cool!

We went to Truc Lam Pagoda, a nearby temple. Haha! My mom was given a monk robe and she looked hilarious. Nothing too special about this temple.

We went on a few rides next. The 4D motion theatre ride was cheesy but still amusing. There was a spinning tower ride that got my parents and aunt dizzy. We did the merry-go-round, bumper cars and I went on the swings. Sadly, we didn’t have enough time to go on the alpine coaster, a sled on a track the speeds down the mountain! It looked super fun but I didn’t suggest it because I thought everyone else would be too scared… Little did I know they were totally up for it but by then the lineups were too long and we had to head to the airport and fly back to Ho Chi Minh.

We grabbed some food at  Cuon Cuon Rolls & BBQ before heading back to the airport. Nothing to impressive here… Nha Trang’s food scene isn’t as great as Hanoi or Hoi An. Oh, and there are a lot of Russian tourists.